Interview the victims' coworkers, relatives, and friends several days after the initial shock because they are often aware of a history of controlling and abusive behaviors, if not an escalation in the abuse.

Media Practice

"Mrs. Randolph [victim] was concerned enough that she asked her brother to meet her for lunch to try to figure out what to do... Michael Burrell [victim's second brother] said, he, too, knew something was amiss in the marriage... 'I guess it got rocky toward the end.' " (Randolph case, Providence Journal, 5/2/96)